Beech Traded at the OHL Deadline

Tampa goaltending prospect Kevin Beech was shocked by the news that he was dealt by the Sudbury Wolves to the Erie Otters for a 2007 conditional draft pick at the OHL deadline as reported earlier today by the Sudbury Star.

Sudbury earlier traded for Toronto St. Michael's Majors overaged scoring star Justin Donati. That trade put put the Wolves over the 3 man overager limit, requiring Sudbury to deal one of its other three overagers. Beech was the odd man out.

"I never thought this was going to happen, so it's real unexpected," Beech said, especially considering how well he felt he had played lately. "I had the one bad game after Christmas, but if you look at my numbers over the last month and a half, I think I've played great. But the Wolves need scoring, and I can't bring that."

Beech's season as the Wolves #1 netminder has been generally viewed as disappointing considering his status as an overager and the glut of goaltending prospects in the Tampa system. As of January 8, Beech's season statistics with Sudbury were:

36gp; 15-14-5, 3.16 GAA, .898 sv%, 1 S.O.

Beech was a 6th round selection by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and looks to secure a rookie contract from the organization this summer.